This post is super overdue so I apologize for the delay. We have had a huge November and December and there is no sign of things slowing down. So I’m trying to just lean into it, and I’ve made a few changes to my blogging habits. As of December, I’ve set aside a little time each day for blogging instead of larger chunks of time. I’m finding it difficult to find larger amounts of time in my day, so let’s hope this approach works a little better.
So November marks our 2nd most expensive month of 2021 thanks to a staycation in the city, more renovation expenses, and a lot of dining out (whoops).
To view all previous expense review tagged posts click here.
Top 5 Expenses – November 2021
- Renovations = $4,980.83
Notes: The majority of this month’s expenses are made up of two large bills for stone benchtops ($1800) and last payment to our bathroom contractor ($1700). We also purchased more lawn ($550), and made several trips to Bunnings for various bits and pieces for the Airbnb renovations.
- Mortgage= $2,059.64
Notes: Our loan was recently refinanced and we have a variable rate of 1.99%.
- Car Rego, Servicing, Maintainence, Petrol and Insurance = $1,024.09
Notes: Higher than usual thanks to our cars needing new tyres. We also had two parking fines which I’m sad about, and trying to move on from (neither of them are mine but blame gets us nowhere). Onwards and upwards.
- Food and Alcohol = $836.37
Notes: Our food bill decreased in November which was nice. We continue to do our main shop at Aldi and shop at other places depending on the specials available. We shop online at BWS to make use of cashback rewards (If you want to sign up use this affiliate link – You’ll get a $10 bonus once you make your first transaction).
| Shop | Amount |
| Aldi | $572.57 |
| Foodland | $168.60 |
| BWS | $47.00 |
| Bakers Delight (Bakery) | $41.60 |
| Woolworths | $5.00 |
| Coles | $1.60 |
| Total | $836.37 |
- Restaurants / Eating Out / Takeaway and Activities = $570.59
Notes: November was a very spendy month for going out. We had multiple nice dinners out with the family (at least once a week), and a night out with our friends in the city. This month was well above our monthly average.
Year to Date Comparison
We spent $11,869.05 in November and $9,280.82 the previous month which is an increase of $2,588.23. We spent $395.64 per day in November which is up from last month’s $299.38 per day.
Other Expenses (% of total expenses) – November 2021
New Expenses (November)
No new expenses.
Changes we’ve made this month (November)
No changes.
Changes to expect next month (December)
A reduction in renovation expenses as the majority of our renovations are now paid for in full.
Year to Date Expense Overview ($)
Total Spend 2021 (To Date) = $98,791.19 or an average of $8,981.02 a month for 2 Adults and 2 Children (Aged 13 and 10).
Investment Rate 2021 (To Date) = 41% – no change (includes wages and side hustles. All dividends/distributions we receive are automatically reinvested via DRP)
Our goal investment rate at the start of the year was 60%, but we created this goal before I took a 30k (after-tax) pay cut in March. Given the pay cut and the renovations we are doing this year I’m happy with where we are at. More importantly, we are still tracking to our goal of hitting financial independence by January 2029.
Notes: I track my Income and Expenses via my tracker available on my Etsy Store Link Here.
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Frank on FIRE 